Oglebay Institute to Host Activities at Mansion Museum

November 10, 2007

Oglebay Institute’s annual Children’s Day at the Mansion Museum is designed to delight visitors of all ages with the magic of the season.

Brimming with child-size fun, this festive event takes place at the Mansion Museum in Oglebay Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov.17, and is open to the public. Children, ages 12 and younger, are admitted free of charge. Adults pay the standard admission fee.

Youngsters will view the holiday decorations of the Mansion Museum with child-inspired features including a personal visit with Santa, a candy shop and a special gift shop for children. Other holiday treats include personalized gingerbread cookies prepared by pastry decorator Ciara Patterson, an ice carving demonstration by master ice carver Rick Bubin and a holiday play performed by the Bellaire High School Thespians.

Bubin will carve Santa’s sleigh and reindeer out of huge blocks of ice on the mansion lawn from 10 a.m. to noon. From noon to 2 p.m., children can have their photos taken sitting in the sleigh. The holiday play, “The Toy Shop,” will be staged at intervals throughout the day. Times for the play are 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Debbie Parkison and Gretchen Hooper of Wheeling chair this event, planned by the Christmas subcommittee of the Mansion Museum committee.

“This special event is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season. It certainly stirs up the holiday spirit in young and old alike,” Museums Director Christin Stein said. “Each year, our volunteer committee works diligently to make this a fun and inspirational day for families.”

The Museums of Oglebay Institute opened its holiday exhibits with its annual decorating event. The mansion’s period rooms are now lavishly decorated for the holidays. This year’s theme, “My Favorite Things,” features decorations inspired by each decorator’s favorite holiday memories or traditions. The exhibit is sponsored by WesBanco.

The Mansion and Glass museums are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Operating hours are extended until 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday from Nov. 10 through Dec. 20. Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing to allow time to tour. The museums are closed Nov. 18, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

In the spirit of the season, Oglebay Institute’s Mansion Museum, is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Those wishing to donate can drop off items at the mansion during normal operating hours.

For more information on Children’s Day at the mansion, call the Museums of Oglebay Institute at 304-242-7272.